Boot Stamps

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an ornamental strap with decorative elements for a foot wear. The strap is attached to footwear comprises adjustable leather top portion of strap that fits over top of the boot and secures rear portion of the strap to the boot. The rear portion of the strap wraps around the heel of the boot and connects to top portion of the strap on each side of the boot. The top portion of strap and the rear portion of strap are connected utilizing a steel button located at front of the rear or heel strap that will fit into pre-punched button holes located at the ends of top portion of strap. The decorative elements are provided for placement on the straps and could be placed at the heel and the sides of lower portion of strap can also be utilized for decorating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to an accessory for footwear, for example, boots, shoes, etc. More particularly, the present invention relates to detachable ornamental straps incorporated with interchangeable decorative elements. Further, the present invention relates to a method for implementing the decorative elements to the ornamental strap in a user's footwear.

B. Description of Related Art

Generally, a conventional cowboy boot is provided with a specific style of its own. The traditional cowboy boots are made from cowhide leather, exotic skins such as ostrich, lizard, eel, etc. Further, there are varieties of skins available for the cowboy boot. The toe is usually pointed in the classic style and the heel can be a riding heel or a walking type of heel depending on the wearer's preference and style. In current trend, roper style is a popular design, which has a short boot shaft as opposed to the traditional tall boot shaft. The roper style also features with a more rounded toe design and more squared off heel design. However, the cowboy boot designs could be a fashion statement or just traditional footwear used in everyday environments. The decorative boot ranges from just a good-looking boot to extremely good looking or designed and accessorized fashionable footwear.

Further, some of the individuals will have more than one pair and would use one pair for working or everyday use and have more decorative boots for special occasions. Furthermore, in turn it may result in many pairs of boots depending on personal tastes and desires. Conventionally, a spur was originally designed for aid in directing a horse and it is worn on the heel of the cowboy boot as an additional add-on accessory for the working horse rider. The spur is also a noted decorative accessory and has been used throughout history as an enhancement in the beauty and augmentation of the boot. It has often been used as an honor and a gift and can be decorated quite beautifully as well as constructed in exotic metals such as silver and gold. Consequently, the spur has been seen as a symbolic embellishment to the boot and can even be considered a fashion accessory. However, wearing spurs can be hazardous since they are considered a working accessory and are not really designed for everyday use. Extending out from the heel and made of metal, the spur can cause damage to people and furniture if it is not worn carefully. The spur can even cause injury to the wearer if precautions are not followed. The spur, while being an enhancement to the beauty of the individual wearer's boots, is not really practical as a boot fashion accessory.

Hence, there is a need for a fashion accessory corresponding to the foot wear with an interchangeable decorative element which can be added to or removed from such fashion accessory to suit the fancy of the user or wearer. There is also a need to for the addition or removal of such decorative elements that can be accomplished easily, quickly and without the need for tools or other devices. There is further a need to provide the user or wearer with the ability to select decorative elements from a wide variety of possible adornments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an ornamental strap with decorative elements for boots or shoes.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, these and other objects and advantages are accomplished as follows.

In an embodiment, the ornamental strap is attached to a boot or shoe similar to a spur and it has an adjustable leather top strap or instep strap portion that fits over the top of the boot and secures the rear strap or heel strap portion to the boot.

In addition, rear portion of the ornamental strap wraps around the heel of the boot and connects to the top portion of the ornamental strap on each side of the boot.

In addition, the top portion of the ornamental strap and the rear portion of the ornamental strap are connected utilizing a steel button located at the front of the rear or bottom strap that will fit into pre-punched button holes located at the ends of the upper strap. Each of these button holes can be selected for sizing the ornamental strap to individual boot sizes and allowing the ornamental strap to be available in plurality of sizes.

In yet another embodiment, an assortment of emblems, motifs or logos can be provided for arrangement and placement on the ornamental straps.

In an alternative embodiment, the emblems, motifs or logos can be placed at the heel similar to the spur and the sides of the lower portion of the ornamental strap can also be utilized for decorating.

In addition, a significant advantage of the present invention that the ornamental straps can be easily worn on the existing boots, it will increases beauty and attractiveness of boots, the decorative spurs are not danger and not inelegant, it is customizable, it also fits different sizes of boots, in different tanning colors, with high-quality leather, plurality of symbols and emblems available, it slips easily on and off boots, it retains securely once attached to boots, it is built of durable materials, and inexpensive addition to boot accessories

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, illustrating an ornamental strap attached to a boots, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrates a side view and rear view of an ornamental strap respectively, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C illustrates a different view of a decorative element, incorporating the aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3C, the present invention discloses an ornamental strap 102 with decorative elements for boots or shoes. In an embodiment, the ornamental boot strap 102 is an accessory for footwear which allows the user to easily customize the existing boots using the leather and decorative elements (such as concho). The ornamental strap 102 fits around the back of the boot and rests on the heel. The adjustable ornamental strap 102 goes up over the instep and supports the strap on the boot. The leather components can be decorated with a series of decorative elements (such as concho), which are staked in place and then covered with a layer of leather to prevent scuffing the underlying boot leather. The ornamental strap 102 could be provided off the shelf with standard stock designs or custom designs can be built to order. The ornamental strap 102 allows the wearer to adorn the boots in the fashion of spurs, while maintaining the ease of wear. The strap 102 can be in plurality of different kinds of leathers and plurality of styles of decorative elements (such as conchos).

The ornamental straps 102 are made from normally tanned hides. The heel and instep strap (202, 208) are cut to shape using computer controlled rolling cutters or punched out of the hide using a steel rule die on a flywheel press. The outer heel and instep straps portion (202, 208) are punched in the appropriate locations to accept the decorative element (such as concho) stems. The leather is then soaked in water, placed on wooden forms, clamped in place, and then is allowed to dry to create the U shaped straps. Then the conchos and instep strap buttons are placed and machine crimped to secure them in place. After fabrication of the heel and instep straps (202, 208), the inner leather shields are glued and sewn into place using a single stitch around the periphery of the concho adorned straps. After fabrication, the appropriate instep straps 202 are joined to the heel straps 208.

According to FIG. 1, a perspective view, illustrating the foot wear component 100 ornamental strap 102 attached to the boots 104, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the ornamental strap 102 is a leather strap which allows decorating the foot wear 104 (such as boots) according to the need of the user. The ornamental strap 102 also has a decorative element 204 as shown in the FIG. 2A and can be attached without the need of any machinery. The decorative element 204 could be of plurality of size and plurality of types according to the desire and need of the user of the ornamental strap 102. In an embodiment, the decorative element 204 is configured to be attachable to the ornamental strap 102 via a fastener means. In an embodiment, the fastener means comprises a device chosen from the group consisting of hook material, pile material, a button, a button hole, a button hook, an eye, an eye hook, a snap protrusion, and hook and loop fasteners.

The ornamental strap 102 is similar to a boot spur without the sharp edge present in the conventional spur. In an embodiment the ornamental strap 102 can be customized and accessorized according to the need of the user. The ornamental strap 102 will allow decorating the boots 104 for dancing, going out, or for any occasion.

The ornamental strap 102 will allow to slide over the boot 104 without any inconvenience. The top portion 202 of the ornamental strap 102 rest on the upper section of the boot 104 and the heel or rear portion of the ornamental strap 102 will rest on the heel of the boots 104. In an embodiment, the ornamental strap 102 comprises an adjustable fastener configured enable the instep strap portion 202 to engage with the heel strap portion 208 to allow selective tightening and lessening of the strap 102. In an embodiment, the adjustable fastener comprises buttons on the side of the ornamental strap 102 that allows the user to change the strap for plurality of sizes according to the need of the user. In another embodiment, the comprises a device chosen from the group consisting of hook material, pile material, a button, a button hole, a button hook, an eye, an eye hook, a snap protrusion and hook and loop fasteners.

In an embodiment, the ornamental straps 102 could be available in a plurality of color tannings such as from natural colors to the colors that match school colors, sports teams, clothing, boots, etc. Further, in another embodiment, decorative elements 204 are provided with plurality of large variety of logos, emblems, text or motifs can then be applied according to preference of the user.

The leather used for the ornamental strap 102 is vegetable tanned using tannins that occur naturally in the bark and leaves of many plants. The vegetable tanned leather, while more environmentally sensible than chromium tanning, takes longer, but creates perfect hides for heavier wear, like footwear. The material most commonly used for this application is cowhide, but almost any hide can be used, even the more exotics like snake, alligator, ostrich, etc. The thinner shielding leather is dyed the same color and is typically cowhide.

Further, the decorative elements 204 such as conchos are metallic conchos and die cast using zinc or brass alloy materials in various sizes to execute the factory designs. After casting, vibration deburring is performed on conchos, are thoroughly washed in a hot surfactant solution, and then rinsed well in tap water. Then the conchos are subjected plating with nickel, antique nickel, bright brass, or antique brass plating to acquire the desired surface finish. Further, few of the conchos could be distressed to make them look aged, or can have semi-precious stone inset into the cavities molded therein. Furthermore, few of the conchos with school or corporate logos could be spot painted with the school colored enamel. Also, custom designs of the conchos could be designed or fabricated. The shapes that are available are, but not limited to, the following: alphabet or numerals in any font type, logos for school, professional sport team, or corporate. Also, military, scalloped round, star shaped, square, embossed, animals and fish, various other plurality of images and it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited in this respect, as other suitable designs could be provided.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a side view of the ornamental strap 102, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the top portion 202 of the ornamental strap 102 is adjustable 206 to provide the optimum fit on the boot. In another embodiment, the decorative element 204 (such as conchos) can be in plurality of sizes for each design of decorative elements 204. Further, the decorative element 204 which is large in size can be located in the center of the heel portion of the ornamental strap 102 and small size or different size decorative element can be located at plurality of locations of the ornamental strap 102.

The leather used for ornamental strap 102 could be typical hides, which are dyed and tanned using various colored dyes and may even have been machine embossed. The metal decorative elements 204 (such as conchos) are plated to provide the optimum look that wears well over time. The standard stock designs of the decorative elements 204 is made available commercially and could also be customized according to the need of the user.

FIG. 2B is the rear view or heel view of the ornamental strap 102, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the ornamental strap 102 fastener buttons are constructed similarly to the conchos 204 and are set into the boot heel portion 208 of the ornamental strap 102 using the swaging process. The decorative elements 204 could be commercially available in nickel, antique nickel, bright brass, or antique brass plating and it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited in this respect, as other suitable metals could be provided.

The decorative elements 204 (such as star conchos) are shown in the FIG. 2B, there are plurality of school or company logos available as well as common designs, animals, or even letters and numbers and it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited in this respect, as other suitable decorative elements could be provided.

In an alternative embodiment, the heel portion of the ornamental strap 102 could be fabricated using 16 gauge (0.051±0.001″ thick) steel sheet. The heel portion 208 of the ornamental strap 102 is cut to shape using a CNC water jet machining center. After fabrication, the flat component is formed around a mandrel to make the heel portion of the ornamental strap 102. After fabrication, the unit is cleaned and nickel plated. After plating, the large, rear decorative element 204 (such as concho) and instep strap buttons are brazed in place. Then the heel strap portion 208 of the ornamental strap 102 is covered with a sleeve of thin leather and glued in place. The instep strap 202 is fabricated as previously described and any additional conchos 204 is placed on the leather sleeves prior to installing on the heel portion 208 of the ornamental strap 102. The conchos 204 and instep strap buttons can be fastened onto the sheet steel heel loop rather than being brazed, silver soldered, or welded.

In another alternative embodiment, the steel material can be replaced with a material which could be fabricated from 0.125″ thick plastic or 0.0625″ carbon fiber. In that fabrication, the large rear concho and instep strap buttons are fastened in place on the thermally formed heel loop, and then covered with a leather sleeve like the above option.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a decorative element 204, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a stem of the decorative element 204 (such as metal concho) is inserted through the hole 302 punched in the outer leather 304 and is fastened in the place. An outer layer of the leather 304 is a typically tanned hide that has been dyed and tanned normally. An inner layer of the leather 304 protects the boots from the rough fastened metal heads. In another embodiment, a shielding layer of leather 304 is sewn with a single decorative stitch around the periphery.

In yet another embodiment, the ornamental strap 102 can be a matching, complementary, or contrasting leather colors and thread to make interesting ornamental straps 102 for the foot wear 104. The user is allowed to purchase any ornamental strap 102 and can specify any design from the online or retailer catalog. The offline commercial stores may have some of the most popular products on the retail shelves to purchase.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of a decorative element 204, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the decorative element 204 are die cast using zinc or brass alloy, which is subsequently plated, enameled, or inset with semi-precious stones. The edges and corners 306 are rounded so they do not snag on pant legs or other fabric. Further, custom decorative elements 204 can be cast in almost any shape, text, number, logo, or image.

FIG. 3C illustrates an enlarged view of the stem 308 corresponding to the decorative element 204 and a hole 302 corresponding to the rear or heel portion 208 of the ornamental strap 102, according to the embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the decorative element 204 (such as concho) is fastened onto the leather 304 with the metal stem 308 tightly holding the metal concho 204 in place. After fastening, the stem 308 of the concho 204 grips the leather 304 very tightly and the concho 204 will not be able to spin or loosen. Larger conchos 204 for the center of the heel or rear portion 208 of the ornamental straps 102 could be with two stems 308 to insure they will not rotate during wear. The stem 308 is cast as an integral part of the concho 204 and the end is hollow so it can easily be fastened by a machine means.

Accordingly, a durable nylon thread could be used that can match, complement, or contrast with the leather dye, depending upon the product design. The standard straps 102 are made using matching materials; however, the buyer can select almost any color combination on the custom products.

The ornamental strap 102 for foot wear 104 is designed to be aesthetic and effective in the application. The uncomplicated fabrication and the reasonably priced components provide good marketability for the manufacturer. The user benefits from a high-quality product with improved beauty and attractiveness of the boots, which should provide considerable market interest in the apparatus.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the above detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment developed herein, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The foregoing description comprises illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A boot accessory for attachment and wear along a lower portion of boot, comprising: a detachable ornamental strap comprising an instep strap portion and a heel strap portion; an adjustable fastener disposed at the ornamental strap configured to enable the instep strap portion to engage with the heel strap portion to allow selective tightening and loosening of the strap, wherein the heel strap portion wrap around a heel of the boot, the instep strap portion wraps around the instep portion of the boot and attaches to the heel strap portion to form a continuous circumferential member, and one or more decorative element detachably attached to the ornamental strap.
 2. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the adjustable fastener disposed at the heel strap portion is a button type fastener configured to engage to a plurality of holes disposed at the instep strap portion to allow selective tightening and loosening of the ornamental strap.
 3. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the adjustable fastener comprises a device chosen from the group consisting of hook material, pile material, a button, a button hole, a button hook, an eye, an eye hook, a snap protrusion, and hook and loop fasteners.
 4. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the decorative element comprises a metal stem configured to affix to the ornamental strap.
 5. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the decorative element configured to affix to the ornamental strap via one or more fastener.
 6. The boot accessory of claim 5, wherein the one or more fastener is disposed at the instep strap portion and heel strap portion.
 7. The boot accessory of claim 5, wherein the fastener comprises a device chosen from the group consisting of hook material, pile material, a button, a button hole, a button hook, an eye, an eye hook, a snap protrusion, and hook and loop fasteners.
 8. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the ornamental strap is made of leather.
 9. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the ornamental strap is made of tanned hides.
 10. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the ornamental strap is made of vegetable tanned leather.
 11. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the decorative element is Concho.
 12. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the decorative element is at least anyone one of a logos, emblems, text, common designs and motifs.
 13. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the decorative element is plated with at least any one a nickel, antique nickel, bright brass, and antique brass.
 14. The boot accessory of claim 1, wherein the ornamental strap comprises rounded edges. 